MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Gov. Robert
Bentley has asked President Barack Obama to grant additional Federal Emergency
Management Agency assistance in the wake of this week's tornado outbreak in
Alabama.

Bentley, who visited Limestone
and Jefferson counties Wednesday to survey storm damage, said this afternoon he
has sent a letter to Obama requesting an expedited major disaster declaration,
which would provide individual and public assistance to storm-ravaged counties
in Alabama.

"This week's storms have had
significant effects across Alabama," Bentley said in a statement. "From the
tornado damage in the northern part of the state to the flooding in the south,
the severe weather caused extensive damage to our citizens and our
communities."

If individual assistance is
granted, Bentley said counties would be eligible for temporary housing and home
repair grants, low-cost costs to cover uninsured property and other programs to
help residents and business owners recover from the disaster. Baldwin,
Lee, Limestone and Jefferson are the counties included in Bentley's initial
request, but other counties may be added down the
road.

"The PA Program also encourages
protection of these damaged facilities from future events by providing
assistance for hazard mitigation measures during the recovery process," a news
release said. "If approved, all impacted counties will be eligible to apply for
the disaster assistance."